Mallacoota Inlet is almost completely surrounded by the Croajingolong National Park. This coastal park covers some 860 square km. The park contains a diverse range of plants, animals and environments, including rain forests, heathlands, woodlands, estuaries, rivers, shifting sand dunes, salt marshes and swamps.
In 1977 Croajingolong received international recognition when it was declared a UNESCO world biosphere reserve. This status was given because the National Park combined a large number of undisturbed natural habitats for rare and significant plants and animals.